Photo Courtesy of Keona Holley/ Facebook
The Baltimore police officer, who was shot at point-blank range and clinging to life in a local hospital, passed away after being taken off life support.
Officer Keona Holley died early Thursday morning after being ambushed by two men one week ago. The city’s police commissioner, Michael Harrison, released a statement regarding his fallen officer.
“Our prayers are with Officer Holley’s family and loved ones, co-workers and the entire community. I thank her and the entire BPD community for their commitment, service and sacrifice. We mourn Officer Holley’s death together, and we will heal together.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also sent his condolences to Holley’s family, saying, “I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Keona Holley, a devoted public servant who worked selflessly to protect our community.”
Baltimore will never forget Officer Holley’s sacrifice and commitment to making a difference in her beloved city,” he continued. “I ask that everyone please keep Officer Holley’s family in your prayers as they endure the holiday season without their mother, daughter, sister and loyal friend.”
The fallen officer’s sister, Lawanda Sykes, reflected on how her sibling was dedicated to the community and her job on the force. Sykes also spoke about Holley fulfilling her wish of becoming a Baltimore police officer, and she had a poignant message for men who allegedly took her sister’s life.
“She took on this job. She took on this responsibility. This has been a life-long goal of my sister to serve the Baltimore City Police Department. My sister dedicated herself to this job — she went in early, she stayed late, she spent countless hours away from her children to serve the community in the Southern District,” she said during a press conference.
“I’m going to ask you if you have an honest, decent, empathetic bone in your body that you speak up and say something. Come out and say something. The person who did this to my sister, you are a coward. You tried to snuff her and take something you can’t. She is stronger than you will ever be, and the force behind her is stronger than you will ever be.”
She also asked the community to pray for her and her family during this time.
“I ask that you keep her covered, that you pray for her, that you pray for us,” she continued. “Understand that my sister, she’s the yin to my yang, all I’ve ever known. She’s the other part of me, and I refuse to give that up for anybody — especially a city who does not appreciate her.”
Although police have the suspects in custody, officers are still investigating a motive.
“While we had extensive interviews, we don’t quite have motive. We don’t know why they did this,” Harrison said. “We have absolute confessions that they did it. They were there. We don’t have motive as to why.”
NewsOnyx previously reported that the 39-year-old police officer was allegedly ambushed and shot by two suspects – Elliot Knox and Travon Shaw – on December 16 as she sat in her patrol car in the city’s southern district.
The two men reportedly snuck up from behind and opened fire on the defenseless woman.
A man, Justin Johnson, was also allegedly murdered by Knox and Shaw. Police believed the victim was killed after not agreeing to participate in the suspect’s plan.